With budget always in mind we like to balance our trip activities, we focus on free or cheap to make room for those unique and special splurges!
Free things we like to do:
- Wander through alleyways
- Window shop
- Go to the beach
- Collect shells
- Free walking tours- https://www.neweuropetours.eu/ for example, just tip your guide!
- Parks and playgrounds- playgrounds in Spain, in particular, are amazing! They're everywhere, and they’re clean, fenced in, and most even have a small kiosk nearby selling drinks and snacks- sometimes even espresso and wine.
- Go to the grocery store and explore
- Drive or hike to viewpoints
- Enjoy street performances- just sitting in a square or piazza people watching
- Free museum days/times- many museums offer these look them up in advance
- If we are in Italy- go for a post-dinner “passeggiata”. A passeggiata is the Italian tradition of going for a walk after dinner to socialize and help digestion. Many towns have pedestrian only areas especially in the summer. This makes it easy to walk with kids or wheel a stroller because there is more space to accommodate everyone going for their nightly walk.
Cheap things we like to do:
- Cook a meal at our apartment with local products
- Buy some fun unique souvenirs
- Try out unique local transportation- trolleys, funiculars, ferries, cable cars
- Go to street fairs and markets
- Ride carousels and Ferris wheels (most cities have them!)
- Sit in a local cafe- in many countries you can sit for hours with just ordering a coffee no rush!
- Go to the botanical gardens
- Visit historic sites like castles, churches, museums
- “Shopping” on the beach- you’ll often find vendors walking on the beaches selling everything from fresh fruits to jewelry to toys to clothes, and even crafts and home decor.
- If we are in Italy- find a spot to people-watch and take in the scenery for “aperitivo”. Aperitivo is a time of day in Italy in the evening before dinner when you can order a glass of wine, cocktail, or any drink really and they will bring you little snacks to go with your drink. You can just sit and relax prior to going out to dinner- no rush or fuss.
Excursions/Experiences we like to do:
- Walking food tours
- Tuk tuk tours
- Wine tasting
- Farms/agriturismo
- Boat tours
- Zoos/aquariums
- Cooking classes
- Tours of local gems- volcanos, mountains, islands
- Going to Disney Parks if we are near one!
